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In the aftermath of the Auckland Nines, I am sure many are wondering if the tournament would be rated a success or failure.
In the days leading up to the Nines, I was incredibly excited as to what was to come.
Here is a great chance to see some great attacking footy. Stuff you’d expect to see on the 13-a-side yearly highlights were part of every play.
I was also genuinely backing my team, the Dragons, to at least the semi-finals (bit of a let down there).
I think, on reflection, the whole tournament would be rated a success but on the attacking flair I was expecting there was definitely some great examples but not as many as could be hoped.
Perhaps this is credit to the defence but sometimes I just found myself twiddling my thumbs, waiting for something to happen.
I know it would obviously be a stretch for the players bodies and fitness reserves but perhaps sevens is a better alternative to gain more interest.
When I was watching the Nines, members of my family (less league loving then me) were quick to point out the apparent lack of difference between it and NRL, although they were the same people who by the end of the tournament were very keen to watch the final.
Throughout the two days many players stood up and played brilliantly. Here are 21 players that did this:
Forwards: Andrew McCullough, Corey Parker, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Tohu Harris, Fuifui Moimoi, Andrew Fifita, Sam Tagatese.
Backs: Kodi Nikorima, Robert Lui, Kyle Feldt, Jarrod Mullen, BJ Leilua, Semi Radradra, Blake Ayshford, Luke Keary, Dylan Walker, Shaun Johnson, James Tedesco.
Apologies to any left out names but the players above are the players whose efforts I remember the most.
The tryscoring prowess and flexibility of Kyle Feldt was particularly amazing and provided more than one highlight.
Shaun Johnson dazzled as expected but in the end I think the Warriors relied to heavily on him to create something from nothing. I also felt Luke Keary played well and I felt for him when he injured his shoulder.
I thought in the forwards the biggest surprise packet was Sam Tagatese who showed speed I don’t think the most faithful Cronulla supporter thought he could muster.
He did this on more then one occasion and even got on the outside of Albert Kelly to race down the field and score.
I thought Andrew McCullough played well and scored tries at two crucial times. Corey Parker was a workhorse as usual as he trundled it up and provided his trademark offloads.
Gavin Cooper played really well and along with James Tamou led the Cowboys to victory.
But obviously some players didn’t fair as well as others in this injury risk tournament.
The injuries most likely to effect teams NRL seasons were Lachlan Cootes’, Curtis Sironens’, Luke Kearys’ and depending on the degree of injury sustained by Jarrod Mullen.
I am sure, as most of the NRL is, that David Williams doesn’t miss the season as predicted and can get back on the field this year. I genuinely feel sorry for him as I am sure most people do with his rotten luck.
While I don’t think the Nines was a let down, it didn’t produce the spectacle I was expecting.
I think it has brought to light some exciting new talents and made some of the NRL coaches selections decisions easier, but given some others headaches.
On the whole I think it was great weekend for rugby league and New Zealand.
I wish something could be done to make it less like 13-a-side, but in saying that I am looking forward to next years tournament and can’t wait for the beginning of the next NRL instalment.
As I am writing this, Sam Burgess has made a deal with English rugby union with a $900,000 transfer fee to leave Souths for next year.
I am sure Souths will feel let down by this after all they have done for him but I am sure they wish him luck. In my own opinion I think it will he be decent but nowhere near Sonny-Bill or Israel Folau and that the Rabbitohs will buy a few great players with the extra cash they receive.
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